dedicate

Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

transitive v. To set apart for a deity or for religious purposes; consecrate.

transitive v. To set apart for a special use: dedicated their money to scientific research.

transitive v. To commit (oneself) to a particular course of thought or action: dedicated ourselves to starting our own business. See Synonyms at devote.

transitive v. To address or inscribe (a literary work, for example) to another as a mark of respect or affection.

transitive v. To open (a building, for example) to public use.

transitive v. To show to the public for the first time: dedicate a monument.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

v. To set apart for a deity or for religious purposes; consecrate.

v. To set apart for a special use

v. To commit (oneself) to a particular course of thought or action

v. To address or inscribe (a literary work, for example) to another as a mark of respect or affection.

v. To open (a building, for example) to public use.

v. To show to the public for the first time

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English

adj. Dedicated; set apart; devoted; consecrated.

transitive v. To set apart and consecrate, as to a divinity, or for sacred uses; to devote formally and solemnly.

transitive v. To devote, set apart, or give up, as one's self, to a duty or service.

transitive v. To inscribe or address, as to a patron.

from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

To set apart and consecrate to a deity or to a sacred purpose; devote to a sacred use by a solemn act or by religious ceremonies.

To devote with solemnity or earnest purpose, as to some person or end; hence, to devote, apply, or set apart in general.

To inscribe or address (a literary or musical composition) to a patron, friend, or public character, in testimony of respect or affection, or to recommend the work to his protection and favor: as, to dedicate a book.

For instance, if the devotee’s son is laid up with a fatal disease, he would pray to Shanmuga to grant the boy a lease of life in return for which the devotee would take a vow to dedicate a kavadi to Him.